GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox first baseman Mike Moustakas raced down the right-field line, pursuing Seby Zavala’s foul popup in a Feb. 24 Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners.
Moustakas tracked it down, making a nice over-the-shoulder catch.
“(I) did some hard work this offseason and it’s been paying off for me a little bit more on defense right now,” Moustakas told the Tribune on Friday. “Feels good to be able to move around. My legs feel good, healthy again. And I feel good to go.”
The veteran is a nonroster invitee at White Sox camp. He’s one of the potential options for infield depth.
Andrew Vaughn and Yoán Moncada are back as the starters at first and third, respectively. The middle of the infield will have a new look after the Sox signed shortstop Paul DeJong and traded for second baseman Nicky Lopez.
When it comes to depth, there’s plenty of competition.
Entering Saturday, Moustakas has played three games at first and four at third this spring. He was 3-for-23 in nine games.
“The main thing is getting your timing and getting back in the box and getting the swing of things,” Moustakas said. “Now it’s starting to ramp it up, getting a little more competitive. Starting pitchers are starting to extend themselves and everyday guys are playing a little bit more. Starting to see the flow and the rhythm of how a club is going to shake out.”
Gavin Sheets also has experience at first base, where he has made seven appearances this spring. The left-handed hitter, who told the Tribune he made some adjustments in the offseason to “get more athletic at the plate,” started in right field Saturday against the San Diego Padres — his fourth appearances there. Sheets played 22 games at first for the Sox in 2023.
Sheets and Zach Remillard are tied for the team lead with two home runs. Remillard reached the majors last year, hitting .252 with one home run and 18 RBIs in 54 games.
“Getting that many games played in the big leagues, I got a taste, I got to see where I could improve and having that information made it a more direct mission-focused game plan (in the offseason) so I could adjust without wondering if it would translate or not,” Remillard told the Tribune last week.
Remillard had a memorable major-league debut, going 3-for-3 and driving in two against the Seattle Mariners on June 17 at T-Mobile Park. He tied the game with an RBI single in the ninth and put the Sox ahead with a two-out hit in the 11th.
Remillard homered this spring against the Mariners in Peoria, Ariz.
“We’ll leave that up to timing,” he said with a smile.
Remillard, who is 3-for-13 and in camp as a nonroster invitee, played five games at second and two at third and shortstop entering Saturday. Lenyn Sosa has also showcased his versatility with three games at second and third.
“I’m very happy for this opportunity to fight for a spot on the roster,” Sosa told the Tribune through an interpreter Wednesday. “I just need to keep my focus on my work on the position I’m going to play that day. Just trust my abilities, trust my work and keep my focus on that.”
Sosa is 3-for-11 in six Cactus League games. He has appeared in 63 big-league games in the last two seasons.
Prospects such as shortstop Colson Montgomery, third baseman Bryan Ramos and first baseman Tim Elko continue to work their way through the system.
While Danny Mendick spent 2023 with the New York Mets, he is quite familiar with the Sox, with whom he spent the first four seasons of his big-league career (2019-22). He’s back as a nonroster invitee and is 4-for-19 while playing eight games at second base, four at third and one at shortstop.
“This is home,” Mendick told the Tribune last week. “To get back here is great. It was nice to get away and have a little experience outside, but to get back feels like coming home.
“I feel like I was just here. I got a couple of texts when it was official. I missed some of these guys and to get back and be able to play with them is very exciting.”
Braden Shewmake has displayed an exciting brand of baseball in his first camp with the Sox. Acquired as part of a six-player trade with the Atlanta Braves, Shewmake has a team-leading four stolen bases.
“I try to make a difference as much as I can on the basepaths and it’s kind of a part of the game that’s forgotten a little bit,” Shewmake said last week. “Trying to bring that to this team. Hopefully that will help the guys in the top of that lineup be able to drive more runs in.”
Shewmake is 4-for-18 and has played six games at shortstop and four at second base.
Manager Pedro Grifol has liked the versatility the group has provided.
“We’ve got some guys who can really catch the baseball, and are accurate throwers,” Grifol said Saturday. “I love it. The fact we put Nicky over (at shortstop) for the first time (Friday) and he looks like he’s been playing it all spring.
“Shewmake has been playing some second and we know he can play shortstop. Mendick and Remillard, those guys can play anywhere. There’s a lot of good things happening on the defensive front.”
